Music Education and Its Effects on Childhood Development
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Music education is one of the most undervalued tools when it comes to the development of children.
Several studies have proven the benefits of music on mental and emotional development from infants to young adults. Yet, we still continue to pull music out of schools instead of finding ways to implement it more.
It’s essential to push for music education to be a part of the daily curriculum, whether schooling at home or in the classroom.
Here are 4 reasons why children’s music education is so valuable.
Language Development
Music education requires recognition and repetition of the pitch, tone, and pronunciation of words. Thus, aiding in the ability to learn new words and comprehend their meaning, especially in small children.
One recent study of children ages 2-9 showed the effects of music education on the brain. It was shown that musical training clearly aids in developing the portion of the brain that processes language.
Another five-year study from 2012 monitored the brain development and behavior of a group of children out of Los Angeles. In this study, the scientists used structural and functional MRI scans, EEGs, and behavioral testing to examine the benefits of music education in children.
Initial results showed that music training accelerates maturity in the brain’s areas responsible for language development, speech perception, and reading skills.
Accelerated Brain Development
The University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute has performed two studies proving as little as two years of music education can accelerate brain development in children.
The more notable of the two studies looked at 37 children. 13 of whom received music training, 11 played soccer, and 13 who were part of no extracurricular activities.
Within two years of starting the study, the 13 children in music education showed accelerated neural processing and a more mature auditory system.
More research from Northwestern University found better neural processing in students who played an instrument versus students who only listened to music.
Higher IQ
Musically engaged students have shown to have more improvements in IQ subtests, index scores, and standardized academic achievement tests.
Research done by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM) elaborates on this by finding that children who participate in music education have increases in their SAT scores.
In 2004 Psychological Science published a study by E. Glenn Schellenburg showing increased IQ in children who participated in weekly piano and voice lessons.
Over the course of a year, he studied groups of 6-year old’s participating in either music or drama and a third group who didn’t participate in either. The children in music education tested an average of three IQ points higher than the others.
Emotional Development
Researchers have documented that music and movement activities in preschools correlate with positive emotion. Singing and dancing together has also been shown to lead to increased empathy and promotes the ability to regulate emotions in small children.
Preschoolers in group music education activities have also shown greater group cohesion, cooperation, and pro-social behavior when compared with students without music. Even as a baby, music interactions led to better communication and increased emotional and social coordination.
It has been proven time and time again that music education is essential in the development of children. From how our brain develops to how we process emotions, music education contributes to it all.
It is necessary to keep music education in schools so that children can continue to reap its many benefits.
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Hi!! My name is Whitney! I am a 32 year old mother of three with 12 years customer service experience and five years experience in social media. I love expressing myself through creative outlets, such as writing. I am passionate about my family, health and fitness, and music.